Method and System For Making an Apparatus For Individualized Area-Specific Skin Treatments For a Subject

ABSTRACT

A temperature controlled cosmetic treatment facial mask with area-specific treatments of the present invention includes a substantially planar mask body which is formed with cut-outs for a person&#39;s eyes, nose, and mouth. The mask may include a number of large and small area treatment zones in combination with asymmetrical treatment zones suitable for treatment of specific and localized skin conditions. The treatments zones are coated with skin treatments, such as compounds, lotions, gels, and the like as are known in the facial treatment, cosmetics, spa and medical industry. The mask may include a self-heating or cooling substrate to provide temperature control to the face mask and each mask may include heating areas, cooling areas, or both. A system is also provided that includes an imaging device that feeds its output to a central computer system having an image analyzer, CPU, memory and Look Up Table, and face map for determining specific treatment requirements for the particular patient. An output from the central computer system is provided to a treatment deposition device which deposits various treatments onto an intermediate membrane layer to generate a custom temperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments for that particular patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/321,757, entitled “Temperature Controlled Facial Mask withArea-Specific Treatments” and filed Jan. 23, 2009, which is incorporatedby reference in its entirety into this application as if set forthverbatim.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the cosmetics and spaindustry. The present invention is more particularly, though notexclusively, useful as a facial mask having area-specific treatments andthe ability to create hot or cold areas on the mask.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For centuries, various lotions and creams have been used to treat avariety of skin conditions. This is particularly so in recent years asthe facial mask has become a more popular portion of a spa treatment. Afacial mask typically consists of the application of a thick cream-likebeauty product to the face. Since their introduction, facial masks havebecome a staple in many women's beauty regimen both at home and inprofessional spas. Facial masks are particularly popular due to theirversatility and their ability to be customized with various skintreatments to meet a variety of skin health and beauty needs for eachindividual person.

People have used a variety of facial masks for centuries. Some of theearly accounts of facial treatments include the use of river clay, mudand fruit being applied to the face for beauty purposes. For instance,people have used Dead Sea mud, known for its high mineral content, as abase material for facial masks for many years. In more modernapproaches, facial masks may take traditional facial recipes and couplethem with more modern pharmaceutical medications or highly concentratedvitamin extracts.

Facial masks are rarely the only part of a facial treatment. Instead, afacial mask is typically just one specific element in a woman's overallbeauty routine. Nevertheless, facial masks can be one of the mostimportant elements for cleaning and purifying facial skin in preparationfor subsequent skin treatments. For example, various facial masks areoften used to clean and tone facial skin before applying makeup. Facialmasks can also be used for health and medical purposes, such as healingburns, post-surgical treatment, and reducing the appearance of scars andother skin blemishes.

Traditional facial masks are usually built on a solution base, includingfor instance a clay or mud-based suspension. This solution base is ofteninfused and may be mixed with other active or inactive ingredients sothat the end product is a thick compound which may have a smooth creamytexture. The various ingredients combined can vary significantly, andare often selected for the known, or sometimes even the perceived,effects these ingredients have on the skin. For instance, users mayapply a hydrating and wrinkle-reducing facial mask to the skinsurrounding the eyes, nose and mouth. In order for this type of solutionto be most effective in its purpose, it must be left on for a specifiedamount of time. In fact, depending on the contents of the mask, somefacial masks are intended to be left on until dry, while other facialmasks are intended to be removed after only a few minutes.

In some instances, a facial mask consists of a technician applying aliquid or gel covering directly onto the face. This allows the mixingand application of a variety of topical treatments to the skin beingtreated. In other instances, a facial mask may be created by saturatinga cloth-like material with a particular topical treatment. Thishomogeneous treatment can then be applied to the face such that thetopical treatments on the cloth-like material will contact the face.

Often times, facial masks are applied to the user's face, and thencovered by a warm towel to heat and activate the mask solutions, and toimprove absorption into the skin. These warm towels may serve toactivate the solutions; however, the towels tend to cool quickly so thatthe mask returns to room temperature long before the facial treatment isover. Alternatively, it is often advantageous to provide a coolingfacial mask. Currently, these cool facial masks are applied with a cooltowel, which when applied to the person's skin, quickly warm up toambient temperature. The use of ice, while appropriate in a traumasituation, is impractically cold for a relaxing facial treatment.

Unfortunately, currently available facial masks on cloth-like materialsare homogeneous across the entire face. For instance, the same facialmask solution is applied to the cheeks and to the nose, despite thesignificant differences which can occur between the skin found on thenose and cheeks. Often, the skin on the nose tends to be more oily, andthe skin on the cheeks tends to be more dry. Thus, some users with oilyskin may choose a facial mask with a higher concentration of clay toabsorb excess oil, whereas that same treatment has a detrimental effecton the already-dry cheek skin. Similarly, users that may be worriedabout facial wrinkles might choose a treatment that is hydrating andhigh in antioxidants and vitamins that are perceived to slow the processof aging, whereas that same treatment may compound the production ofoils when applied to oily skin.

In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a facial maskthat accommodates varying skin types over the same mask. It would alsobe advantageous to provide a treated non-woven or paper backed facialmask. It would also be advantageous to provide a heated or cooling maskwhich maintains its desired temperature for an extended period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The temperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments ofthe present invention includes a substantially planar mask body which isformed with cut-outs for a person's eyes, nose, and mouth. On the frontside of the mask body, the face mask may include a number of large andsmall area treatment zones in combination with asymmetrical treatmentzones suitable for treatment of specific and localized skin conditions.The treatment zones are coated with skin treatments, such as compounds,lotions, gels, and the like as are known in the facial treatment,cosmetics, spa and medical industries. On the backside of the mask body,a self-heating or cooling substrate may be applied to providetemperature control to the face mask.

A system is also provided that includes an imaging device that feeds itsoutput to a central computer system having an image analyzer, CPU,memory and Look Up Table, and face map for determining specifictreatment requirements for the particular patient. An output from thecentral computer system is provided to a treatment deposition devicewhich deposits various treatments onto an intermediate membrane layer togenerate a custom temperature controlled facial mask with area-specifictreatments for that particular patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent to those skilled in the art after considering thefollowing detailed description in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout, and wherein: FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the temperaturecontrolled facial mask with area-specific treatments of the presentinvention showing a planar mask body having cut-outs for eyes, nose, andmouth, and showing a number of symmetrical treatment zones (shown indashed lines);

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments of the present invention showing a planar maskbody having cutouts for eyes, nose, and mouth, and showing a number ofsymmetrical treatment zones (shown in dashed lines);

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention showing a planar mask body having cut-outs for eyes,nose, and mouth, and showing a fewer number of symmetrical large-areatreatment zones (shown in dashed lines);

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention showing a planar mask body having cut-outs for eyes,nose, and mouth, and showing a number of symmetrical large-areatreatment zones in combination with asymmetrical treatment zonessuitable for treatment of specific and localized skin conditions (shownin dashed lines);

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of the system for creation of the temperaturecontrolled facial mask with area-specific treatments of the presentinvention showing a patient being scanned by an imaging device whichfeeds its output to a central computer system having an image analyzer,CPU, memory and Look Up Table, and face map for determining specifictreatment requirements; an output from the central computer system isprovided to a treatment deposition device which deposits varioustreatments onto an intermediate membrane layer on top of a self-heatingor cooling substrate to create a temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments;

FIG. 5 is a detailed side view of the treatment deposition device whichincludes a number of treatment reservoirs that contain skin treatments(compounds, lotions, gels, and the like as are known in the facialtreatment, cosmetics and spa industry), and through direction of thecentral computer system based on analysis of the patient's skin's needs,one or more of the treatments is deposited onto the printable membraneor self-heating substrate; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments of the present invention showing theconfiguration of skin treatments on a printable membrane which isattachable to a temperature regulated substrate for heating and/orcooling the skin treatments and adjacent skin.

FIG. 7 is top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the temperaturecontrolled facial mask with area-specific treatments of the presentinvention that includes a substrate that is formed to have multiplepouches which can contain an active mineral, such as for cooling orheating;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional drawing of the alternative embodiment of thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8, and depicts the sealbetween the backing panel and the upper panel with a volume of activemineral captured within each pouch; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of the5 present invention showing a planar mask body having cut-outs for eyes,nose, and mouth, and showing a number of symmetrical large and smallarea treatment zones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a top plan view of the temperaturecontrolled facial mask with area-specific treatments of the presentinvention is shown and generally designated 100. A substantially planarmask body 102 is formed to have a treatment area 104 which extends, inmost cases, to the perimeter of the mask 102. In some applications,however, it may be advantageous to limit the treatment area to less thanthe surface of the mask 102.

Mask 102 may be manufactured and supplied on a backing sheet 106 which,as will be described more fully below, may facilitate the manufacturingof the area-specific treatments on the mask 102. Mask 102 also formedwith cut-outs for eyes 108, nose 110, and mouth 112. These facilitatethe easy viewing, breathing and talking by the person wearing the maskduring a facial treatment.

From FIG. 1, a number of symmetrical treatment zones, shown in dashedlines, can be seen. Specifically, mask 102 is formed with a foreheadtreatment zone 114, temple treatment zones 116, cheek treatment zones118, chin treatment zone 120, upper lip treatment zone 121, and nosezone 128.

The various treatment zones as shown in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary of apreferred embodiment of the temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments of the present invention. It is to beappreciated that these particular zones may be repositioned based on aparticular patient's requirements, or the entire mask may have aconsistent treatment across its entire surface.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments 100 ofthe present invention. This embodiment shows the planar mask body 102having cut-outs for eyes 108, nose 110, and mouth 112. This embodiment,however, includes a fewer number of symmetrical large-area treatmentzones than those of FIG. 1. For instance, there is a temple and cheekzone 122, a lower facial zone 124, an eye mask zone 126, a nose zone 128and a broad forehead zone 134.

Referring to FIG. 3, a top plan view of another alternative embodimentof the temperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments100 of the present invention is shown. This embodiment includes a planarmask body 102 having cut-outs for eyes 108, nose 110, and mouth 112, andalso includes a number of symmetrical large-area treatment zones incombination with asymmetrical treatment zones suitable for treatment ofspecific and localized skin conditions. More specifically, abroadforehead treatment zone 134, nose treatment zone 128, and a broad templeand cheek treatment zone 122 may be used to treat large-area conditions.In addition, mask 102 may include some localized treatment zones such aseye mask zone 126, asymmetrical chin zone 130, and cheek zone 132. Inthese instances, a highly specialized treatment mask 102 may be providedwhich treats general skin conditions with large-area treatment zones,yet provides for very localized treatment zones for specific skintreatments.

While the various figures disclosed herein have depicted a facial maskhaving an oval, whole-faced shape, it is to be appreciated that othershapes may be used without departing from the temperature controlledfacial mask with area-specific treatments of the present invention. Forinstance, in some cases, it may be advantageous to provide a mask foronly treating the areas around the eyes, and in that case, the entiremask might resemble the eye mask zone of FIG. 2. Alternatively, incertain treatment procedures, small masks may be made having uniqueshapes to contour match a particular body part, such as a neck orshoulder for area-specific treatments.

FIG. 4 provides a system diagram of the system for creation of thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention, and is generally designated 200. System 200 includesa patient 202 with her face 204 positioned in the field of scan 208, andbeing scanned by an imaging device 206. This imaging device 206 iscapable of sensing many characteristics from the patient's face 204. Forinstance, device 206 may sense infrared emissions from areas ofincreased heat, reflectivity sensing oiliness or dryness of the skin,and defects such as wrinkles and blemishes. These characteristics aremerely exemplary a preferred embodiment, however, it is to beappreciated that such examples are not intended to limit thefunctionality of imaging device 206 as any imaging device known in theart is fully contemplated herein.

The imaging device 206 provides an output 210 which is in electricalcommunication to a central computer system 212 having an image analyzer214, CPU 216, memory and Look-Up Table 218, and face map 220. In use,the output 210 from the imaging device 206 is passed through an imageanalyzer 214. The data from the image analyzer is manipulated by the CPU216 and the analyzed data is then stored into memory and compared toLook-Up table 218. Based on the analysis of the patient's facial scanand comparison to data from the Look-Up table, a specific treatmentprotocol is determined and stored as a face map 220.

In circumstances where the scan reveals a portion of the patient's skinis oily, the look-up table 218 may identify an anti-oil treatment suchas a natural mud. In circumstances where the scan reveals a portion ofthe patient's skin is dry, the look-up table 218 may identify ahydrating lotion to replenish the moisture in the skin.

A face map 220 may include very specific information regarding thepatient's face. For instance, a patient having a combination of skinconditions, such as an oily nose, dry cheeks, and crow's feet wrinklesadjacent her eyes, would have a specific treatment protocol to addresseach of these issues. On the other hand, a patient having an overalloily skin condition, yet has no wrinkle issues, would have a completelydifferent treatment protocol.

System 200 also includes a display 222 providing an operator with ascreen 224 from which to view the patient 202. By utilizing the userinterfaces, such as mouse 226 and keyboard 228, an operator maycustomize a treatment proto-col based on the face map, as well as thepatient's preferences.

Utilizing this user interface, an operator may change, modify and storein memory a patient's treatment protocol. Such information may be storedin a database and identifiable using the patient's name oridentification number. This is particularly advantageous when treating apatient on multiple occasions. In such an application, a patient couldsimply present him or herself at a treatment facility and, by providinghis or her name or identification number, the precisely customizedtreatment protocol would be retrieved from the memory. Indeed, theentire patient's protocol history could be stored in memory 218, andretrievable on demand.

In circumstances where a chronic skin condition is being treated, it maybe advantageous to maintain the same treatment protocol for a series oftreatments. On the other hand, in some cases it might be advantageous toaccess the baseline protocol for the patient, and then make slightadjustments, such as for resolving skin conditions, or for seasonalweather changes.

The particular deposition pattern and contents may be determined by theanalysis of a patient's facial skin conditions (or input from a userinterface such as the computer keyboard 228 and mouse 226 and in turn,may compare this data to known treatment protocols contained in alook-up table 218. Based on the analysis, and comparison if made, apatient-specific heated face mask 100 may be created to provide thepatient 202 with area-specific treatments. This is particularly usefulin circumstances where, for instance, a patient's facial skin may besuffering from localized dryness, oiliness, wrinkles, blemishes, or thelike. Using the temperature controlled facial mask with area-specifictreatments 100, a patient 202 may obtain specific and repeatabletreatment to problem areas.

A patient, once analyzed, can have the particular treatment protocolstored in the memory of the central computer system. This enables thepatient to return to the treatment center over the course of time toreceive the identical facial mask treatments, or the protocol may beretrieved and modified slightly based on success or failure of thetreatment to optimize treatment of the patient's skin.

Once the particular treatment protocol is determined, an output 230 fromthe central computer system 212 is provided to a treatment depositiondevice 232. Treatment deposition device 232 receives the output 230 fromcomputer system 212 and, in response, deposits various treatments onto aprintable membrane, or a self-heating substrate, to create a temperaturecontrolled facial mask with area-specific treatments 100.

While the application of various treatments has been described as beingproduced by treatment deposition device, it is to be appreciated thatother deposition techniques may be implemented without departing fromthe present invention. For instance, lithographic and screen printingprocesses, rotogravure, inkjet, bubble jet, and laser printingtechniques as are known in the art are fully contemplated herein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a detailed side view of the treatmentdeposition device 232 is shown and includes a translation slide, ortrack, 250. A number of treatment reservoirs 252, 254, and 256 thatcontain skin treatments (compounds, lotions, gels, and the like as areknown in the facial treatment, cosmetics and spa industry). Reservoirs252, 254, and 256 each have a nozzle 258 from which treatment materialsare discharged as shown by dashed lines 260.

The reservoirs are positionable along track 250 in direction 262.Through direction of the central computer sys-tem 212 based on analysisof the patient's skin's needs, one or more of the treatments reservoirs252, 254, and 256 is activated to discharge a portion of its contentsonto the self-heating substrate or printable membrane as that membranemoves through treatment deposition device. More specifically, based uponinstructions from computer 212, a number of different treatment regionsmay be created on the face mask. For instance, distinct treatmentregions 280 and 282 may be formed on a non-woven, paper, rice paper,plastic or other membrane 276. Also, regions may overlap on membrane276, such as treatments 286 covering 284, so that the patient's skin mayreceive the combined treatment benefits of more than one topical.

In the embodiment of the temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, atemperature controlling substrate is presented. A backing sheet 271,such as a polyethylene sheet, is adjacent a layer 270 of absorptivenon-woven, cotton fabric, paper, or the like, is covered with a layer ofsynthetic fiber 272, commonly referred to as “fluff”. An amount ofreactive mineral 274 is interspersed or captured in the fluff layer 272.The particular amount of reactive mineral may be adjusted to achievevarying heating or cooling characteristics. Non-woven layer 276 is thenpositioned over layer 272. Alternatively, an amount of reactive mineralmay be positioned on backing sheet 270 and sandwiched in place with anabsorptive non-woven, with small amounts of the reactive mineral beingsealed in place using a heat or ultra-sonic sealing technique known inthe art. This method distributes the reactive mineral evenly across thesurface of the backing sheet 270 thereby providing even heating orcooling across the surface of the facemask. Alternatively, a fine gluespray may be used to adhere the active mineral to the substrate and toprevent the migration of the active mineral during manufacturing,shipping, and use.

In use, a hydrating agent, such as water, is applied to layer 272 whichby its characteristics allow the water to penetrate the layer exposingthe active mineral 274 to moisture. This moisture creates a chemicalreaction, either exothermic or endothermic, to provide the desiredheating and/or cooling effect.

Hydration of the active mineral layer 272 may be accomplished fromexposing the side of the panel 272 to water and by the naturalcharacteristics of water migration through the layers; the entire layerwill be hydrated. Also, manual palpitation of the layer can be used toincrease the water flow throughout the layers.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a side view of an alternative embodiment of thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention is shown and generally designated 300. Mask 300includes a configuration of skin treatments on a non-woven (or the like)printable membrane 310. More specifically, membrane 310 has treatmentregions 312, 314, and 316 that may contain different active topicalcompounds as is known in the art.

This printable membrane may be created separately, and without anyadditional heating or cooling apparatus. In such circumstances, theoutput 230 from computer system 212 would direct the treatmentdeposition device 232 to deposit various treatment materials into thetreatment regions 312, 314, and 316 on membrane 310. Once completed, thetreated side 318 of membrane 310 may be applied directly to thepatient's face or other body part. If desired, separate heating orcooling may be applied over the printable membrane 310. Since membrane310 is water permeable, a moist heated or cooled towel would activatethe topical treatment materials, as well as provide a pleasant spatreatment to the patient.

In some applications, mask 300 may be formed by depositing thetreatments 312, 314, and 316 on membrane 310. Membrane 310 may then beattached to a temperature regulated substrate 301 for heating and/orcooling the skin treatments and adjacent skin. Temperature regulatedsubstrate 301 includes a backing sheet 302, such as non-woven,perforated tissue paper or perforated polyethylene, covered withsynthetic non-woven materials, such as fluff layer 304. Fluff layer 304contains an active mineral 306, and is covered by a layer of absorbentnon-woven material 308. The absorbent non-woven material 308 allowswater to pass through it, thereby activating the active mineral andproviding the desired heating or cooling effect.

A facial mask having a heated substrate is discussed here, with thecooling substrate discussed below. The self-heating substrate of thepresent invention may include a corn-pound of super absorbent polymer(SAP) with magnesium and iron such that with the introduction of waterand necessary salts, an exothermic chemical reaction occurs and producesheat. The salt may be included in the reactive mineral compound, or itmay be added to the water used to active the reactive mineral. Theincorporation of a super absorbent polymer within the compound providesa number of unusual and unexpected key advantages. For instance, thepresence of the super absorbent polymer buffers the reaction so that thereaction is less violent than the reaction would be without the polymeradditive. Also, because the super absorbent polymer attracts watermolecules which can then be drawn out for reaction with the activemineral compound, the chemical reaction lasts far longer than a compoundwithout the polymer.

The present invention, in a preferred embodiment, includes a generallyrectangular-shaped intermediate self-heating or cooling substrate madefrom various layers. Specifically, a base sheet of polyethylene film isprovided and establishes a base from which the remaining layers arepositioned. A layer of non-woven fabric is positioned over thepolyethylene film layer and followed with a layer of fluff, and then alayer of active mineral compound, such as magnesium-iron powder, forinstance for a heating substrate, is sprinkled over a fluff layer, andcovered with a layer of either tissue paper, or non-woven. In addition,the layer of polyethylene which can be added to eliminate evaporativecooling from the backside of the substrate, thereby prolonging theheating reaction and providing a longer treatment period.

The spun layer, or absorptive non-woven, is intended to allow water topass through the material. In use, the temperature changing substrate ofthe present invention is hydrated, such as by placing the substrate in atray and adding water (and salt if necessary) into the tray such thatthe water passes through the spun layer to activate the active minerallayer in the fluff. In response to the hydration, the active mineralprovides heating (or cooling) in an amount determined by the compositionof the active mineral, and can range from a few minutes to over an hour.

It should be appreciated that other active mineral compounds whichproduce heating and cooling reactions when activated may be used in thepresent invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.The active minerals embodied in the present invention include mineralswhich exhibit exothermic reactions, such as those using reductionreactions of calcium oxide (e.g. quick-lime) and magnesium-iron. Thesereactions are typically initiated using water, or salt and water, andcontinue for some time. The active mineral compound may be furtheraccompanied by one of several types of super-absorbent polymers (“SAP”)known on the market. The combination of the exothermic mineral reaction,coupled with the water-absorption characteristics of the SAP, providesfor a prolonged exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction whichprovides for heat periods ranging up to and exceeding an hour.

The present invention is useful as a water-activated source for heatingor cooling. It is fully contemplated that other types of products may bemade using the same invention as the temperature controlled facial maskwith area-specific treatments described herein. The incorporation of anyspecific endothermic or exothermic active mineral compound, the SAP, andthe layers of materials to create the temperature changing substrate maybe utilized for other applications without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

It is to be appreciated that other heating techniques which are notself-heating may be utilized with the temperature controlled facial maskwith area-specific treatments of the present invention. Further, heatedtowels may be used to activate the treatments on the face mask andprovide a heated treatment, or cooled towels may be used to activate thetreatments on the face mask and provide a cooled treatment.

In addition to heat producing, or exothermic, reactions, endothermicreactions are also advantageous in the temperature controlled facialmask with area-specific treatments of the present invention in order toprovide an extended cooling effect. Given the proximity to a person'sskin and the ability to easily begin the reaction, endothermic reactionswhere water is one component are particularly advantageous. Forinstance, the mixing water and ammonium nitrate, or water with potassiumchloride, can have a cooling effect. Also, the dissolving of ammoniumchloride in water creates an endothermic reaction to provide the desiredcooling effect.

In other embodiments of the temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments of the present invention, endothermiccompounds/reactions involving chemical as both components can be used.For instance, the reaction of barium hydroxide octahydrate crystals withdry ammonium chloride provide a cooling effect. Also, the reaction ofthionyl chloride (SOCl₂) with cobalt (II) sulfate heptahydrate, as wellas reacting ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate, can provide a desiredcooling effect.

In another preferred embodiment, cooling effects can be provided byutilizing mechanical or non-chemical Heat Pump or Heat TransferTechnology. This approach is very effective, but must be sized on amicro or nano-scale for cosmetic purposes. Basically, this approachincludes the evaporating of liquid water into a void or hollow structureusing an adsorbent in a vacuum. The endothermic reaction is bestrealized by using the evaporation of water into a vacuum chambercontaining an adsorbent material encapsulated within. There is anadsorbent material in the vacuum chamber that adsorbs the water andcontains it. This is the most powerful type of self cooling. The coolingproperties of endothermic reactions are significantly less than thecooling provided by controlled evaporation. The theory of controlledevaporation is that the evaporation of 10 ml of water can cool 330 ml ofwater by 18 degrees C.—or almost 65 degrees F. in a completely safe way,no chemical reaction is involved, simply the mechanical heat transfer.

In a preferred embodiment of the temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments of the present invention, the evaporativecooling technology will include micro-encapsulation to form tiny vacuumchambers of adsorbent materials, such as zeolites or othernano-structure vehicles. Additionally, it would be advantageous tovacuum the zeolite particles, which are natural adsorbents themselvesand also act as the container, and micro encapsulate them with a watersoluble coating (under vacuum). This coating would act as a membranethat slowly dissolves and passes water within. When the tiny globe ofthe zeolite structure is evacuated, the potential is that the waterwould be drawn into the vacuum chamber of the interior structure of thezeolite, causing cooling by evaporation and adsorption.

It is to be appreciated that the various chemical or mechanicalreaction-based exothermic and endothermic reactions are merely exemplaryof a preferred embodiment of the temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments of the present invention. The specificsuitability of one reaction type over another would be determined by thespecific application area, the facial mask compounds being used, and themagnitude and duration of the intended heating or cooling desired.

In certain applications, it would be advantageous to provide atemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention that has portions of the mask which heat during thetreatment, and other portions of the mask which simultaneously coolduring the treatment. Accordingly, it is fully contemplated herein thatthere may be regions of the mask having an active mineral or chemicalcompound which are exothermic in some regions, and endothermic in otherregions. Also, it may be advantageous to provide regions with neitherheating nor cooling effects, and in that case, such regions would bedevoid of either heating or cooling effects.

FIG. 7 is alternative embodiment of the temperature controlled facialmask with area-specific treatments of the present invention thatincludes a substrate that is formed to have multiple pouches. Morespecifically, substrate 350 includes a backing panel 352 such aspolyethylene or an absorptive non-woven. An upper panel 353, such as anabsorptive non-woven, is positioned over panel 352 and a plurality ofseals 354 are made to form a number of pouches 356. Each pouch 356contains an active mineral, such as for cooling or heating, or may beempty to provide neither cooling or heating. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectionaldrawing of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8, and depicts the seal between thebacking panel 352 and the upper panel 353. Seal 354 may be made by asonic seal as is known in the art, or by other traditional sealingtechniques, such as an radio frequency (RF), adhesive (not shown thisFigure), a heat seal, or the like.

Within each pouch 356, a volume of active mineral 358 is provided. Insome instances, this active mineral 358 is accompanied by a volume ofSAP which, when activated by water, will absorb a portion of the waterand provide a pro-longed reaction. Activation of the temperaturecontrolled facial mask with area-specific treatments of the presentinvention includes the addition of water, or water and salt, thatinitiates the chemical reaction. Water may pass through panels 352and/or 353 to reach the active mineral.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of the temperaturecontrolled facial mask with area-specific treatments of the presentinvention is shown and generally designated 400. Mask 400 includes abacking sheet 402 having a treatment area 404. Treatment area 404 isformed to have a number of very area-specific treatment zones 406. Asshown in this Figure, zones A through I are shown as exemplary of apreferred embodiment. It is to be appreciated that these zones, whilehaving a particularly advantageous configuration for facial treatments,are in no way limiting on the invention disclosed herein. In fact, thetemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention may be made with any number of treatment zones, andany combination of heating, cooling or ambient (no heating or cooling)zones.

In some instances, it may be advantageous to provide certain portions ofthe temperature controlled facial mask with cooling properties, such asthe area designated by dashed lines 408 around the eyes and cheeks. Thiswould be particularly advantageous to treat Rosacea. Also, it may beadvantageous to provide other portions of the temperature controlledfacial mask with heating properties. Thus, in a single application,there may be portions of a mask which are cooled, and portions of themask that are heated.

If desired, a pair of straps 410 may be formed from either backing sheet402, or another layer of the mask of the present invention. The straps410 may be used to tie the mask 400 onto the wearer's face to applypressure to the mask and increase the contact area on the face.

The temperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments ofthe present invention is contemplated in several different facial maskapproaches. First, a temperature controlled facial mask witharea-specific treatments may be created by manually applying varioustreatments to the surface of a generic blank mask, and then applyingthat mask to a patient. Alternatively, an assortment of pre-treatedmasks may be created with treatment protocols which would tend toaddress most patients' skin issues, based on an accumulation ofinformation and typical patient requirements. Alternatively, atemperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments of thepresent invention which would be electronically selected by a user andarranged on the mask based on the patient's skin characteristics andneeds. Yet another alternative device would be a system that wouldselect and arrange area-specific treatments by an automated skinanalysis scanner in combination with a treatment deposition device.

The look-up table as described herein is intended to associate certaintypes of skin types and conditions with certain treatment protocols. Forinstance, the table below provides an exemplary look-up table and how itmay be used in a preferred embodiment to determine the specifictreatments to be applied to a patient.

Skin Type Condition Treatment Protocol Dry A Oily B Acne 1 Rosacea 2Scarring 3 Wrinkles 4

Based on the exemplary look-up table above, a patient having dry skinwould be treated with protocol ‘A’, and protocol ‘B’ if his skin isoily. In circumstances where the patient's skin is both oily, and hesuffers from rosacea and wrinkles, that patient protocol would include‘B″2’ and ‘4’. It is to be appreciated that the table above issimplified as an example of the detection of skin conditions, and theselection process for various protocols. Further, while the particularprotocol may be identified by a simple alphanumeric character, itnevertheless may represent a very complex compound of various organic,pharmaceutical and therapeutic agents.

In a preferred embodiment, some Typical Skin conditions and some activetopical treatments can include:

Acne Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, topical acneantibiotics, azelaic acid Oily Skin Hot water (to dissolve oils) withlightly medicated soaps, clays or muds, sebaceous secretion inhibitors,Tea Tree oil Dry Skin Moisturizers, skin barriers builders to seal inmoisture Rosacea Cooling pressure (to reduce redness and restrict bloodvessels), topical azaleic acid, metronidazole, tretinoin, or sulfurpreparations Wrinkles Muscle relaxers, collagen, chemical peels, HyperSkin lighteners, vitamin C pigmentation

While there have been shown what are presently considered to bepreferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can bemade herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for making an apparatus forindividualized area-specific skin treatments for a subject, wherein theapparatus is adapted to be placed on the skin of the subject, comprisingthe steps of: (a) scanning a plurality of area-specific skin treatmentzones of the subject with an imaging device to generate an output; (b)communicating the output to an image analyzer to produce a data set; (c)using the data set to determine an individualized treatment protocol;and (d) treating a membrane by communicating the individualizedtreatment protocol to a treatment deposition device adapted to receivethe individualized treatment protocol and deposit the individualizedarea-specific skin treatments onto the membrane.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (e) providing asubstantially planar multiple layer apparatus comprising: a waterimpermeable backing panel; a water permeable upper panel; and atemperature-changing substrate that when contacted with an activatorproduces an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction; and (f)attaching the membrane to the multiple layer apparatus.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein the apparatus for individualizedarea-specific skin treatments for a subject is a facial mask.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein the area-specific skin treatmentzones further comprise a forehead treatment zone, two temple treatmentzones, two cheek treatment zones, a chin treatment zone, an upper liptreatment zone, and a nose treatment zone.
 5. The method according toclaim 3, wherein during step (a) the imaging device senses infraredemissions, reflectivity or skin defects.
 6. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the deposited skin treatments include an active topicalselected from the group consisting of: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide,retinoids, topical acne antibiotics, azelaic acid, hot water withlightly medicated soaps, clay, mud, sebaceous secretion inhibitors, teatree oil, moisturizers, skin barrier builders, topical azaleic acid,metronidazole, tretinoin, sulfur preparations, muscle relaxers,collagen, chemical peels, skin lighteners and vitamin C.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the treatment deposition device utilizesdeposition techniques selected from the group consisting of lithographicprinting processes, screen printing processes, rotogravure printingprocesses, inkjet printing processes, bubble jet printing processes, andlaser printing processes.
 8. The method according to claim 3, whereinthe membrane is made from a non-woven material.
 9. The method accordingto claim 8, wherein the non-woven material is selected from the groupconsisting of paper or plastic. 10-18. (canceled)